Latest news with #IrishCreameryMilkSuppliersAssociation
Agriland
3 days ago
- Health
- Agriland
Minister's TB proposals need to be ‘balanced and fair'
Ongoing discussions that aim to reset the country's TB programme must result in an 'action plan' that establishes 'the requirements' on each stakeholder from farmers right through to other players in the livestock industry, according to one farm organisation. The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association's (ICMSA), Dennis Drennan, said today (Wednesday, May 28) this stakeholder group should also include vets and key departments and agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). According to the department TB disease levels in recent years have increased significantly. Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. Earlier this month DAFM presented an initial set of around 30 proposals to farm organisations and other stakeholders at an extraordinary 'summit' hosted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon. This was followed up with a series of bilateral meetings between the minister and farm organisations and other stakeholders where a revised set of proposals were put forward. TB According to Drennan an action plan on TB could be formulated that is 'perfectly attainable and could be agreed and implemented in a way that treated everyone with respect and fairness'. But the ICMSA president has also warned that farmers have 'very legitimate concerns' around the proposals put forward by DAFM and the minister. 'ICMSA's major concern relates to very significant requirements being placed on farmers, some of which may have serious farming and financial implications, without any corresponding requirements being placed any of the other players. 'ICMSA can't accept this singling out of farmers when it's obvious that if TB is to be dealt with, we all need clear distinct targets, procedures, and timeframes in place, certainly in relation to the role of wildlife in relation to TB spread,' Drennan added. He has also stressed that the ICMSA believe an animal should 'only be allowed to move twice following a TB test with a further TB test required if further movements take place'. He said that with the average animal moving 1.3 times in their lifetime, such a proposal would not be a major burden on farmers. Drennan also emphasised today the ICMSA is fully supportive of 'significant and meaningful actions' that will halt and then reverse the latest surge TB. 'We've always indicated that we're on board for a serious response that's going to get TB levels moving in the right direction. 'But that's going to mean that everyone involved in the movement, trade and sale of cattle plays their part as well and that must mean the finishing units, the dealers and the marts too. 'The proposals so far suggest more regulations on the farmers while everyone else carries on their sweet and unbothered way. It's not fair and it won't work,' he added.
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
ICMSA president calls for ‘solidarity' among European dairy farmers
A call for 'solidarity' among European dairy farmers has been issued by the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, who is also on the executive committee of the European Milk Board (EMB). According to Denis Drennan farmers across Europe are facing the same challenges from increasing production costs, to tightening environmental regulations, and volatile milk prices regardless of where they farm. Drennan said extreme weather conditions during 2025, such as Storm Eowyn, highlight how 'vulnerable farmers are to factors beyond their control'. 'Difficulties in Ireland are not isolated. Whether in France, Germany, Lithuania or Spain farmers are facing rising production costs, fluctuating farm-gate prices, and a policy environment that often demands more while offering little in terms of fair market structures. 'In many regions, it is becoming increasingly clear that the survival of family farms – the backbone of our European agricultural model – is under severe threat,' Drennan added. Dairy farmers According to the ICMSA president this underlines why dairy farmers in Europe should show 'solidarity' to each other and why co-ordinated action at European level is 'essential'. He has highlighted the work of the EMB on promoting a 'comprehensive approach to sustainability' which encompasses 'economic, social and environmental pillars' to secure the future of dairy farming in Europe. According to Drennan dairy farmers need 'fair prices that cover production costs and proper market regulation that actively deals with destructive volatility and corporate margin-grabbing'. 'We desperately require political recognition of the strategic importance of family farms that must be placed at the centre of European agricultural policy. 'Recent examples, such as the successful implementation of voluntary production reduction schemes and national legislation prohibiting the purchase of foodstuffs below production cost, show that positive change is possible when the right instruments are employed. He believes that it does not matter whether it is a dairy farmer in the likes of Ireland, Denmark, Portugal or Poland – the fact remains that they need the same supports and measures in place to strengthen the economic foundation of dairy farming. According to Drennan this is 'a fair income, market transparency, and a viable future for the next generations of dairy farmers'.
